Why Are Infants More Vulnerable to Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances

question 9

Multiple Choice

Why are infants more vulnerable to fluid and electrolyte imbalances than adults?

• A) They have a smaller surface area than adults in proportion to body weight.
• B) Water needs and losses per kilogram are lower than those for adults.
• C) A greater percentage of body water in infants is extracellular.
• D) Infants have a lower metabolic turnover of water.

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Definitions:

Biological Process

Complex interactions among molecules, cells, and organisms that fulfill essential life functions.

Day

The period of 24 hours from one midnight to the next, or the part of this period when it is light and which is distinguished from night.

SRY Gene

A gene on the Y chromosome responsible for initiating male sex determination in humans and most other mammals.

Master Gene

Gene encoding a product that affects the expression of many other genes.